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June 08, 2006

Minnesotans Address AGM in Paraguay, Meet with Regulator

MnCUN's Dana Hofmann-Geye presents INCOOP President Antonio Ortiz Guanes with gifts from Minnesota. Bill Raker (left) of US Federal Credit Union and Victor Corro (back) of WOCCU joined her, along with the INCOOP Board of Directors.

Two Minnesota credit union professionals and
a
representative from the World Council of Credit
Unions (WOCCU) traveled to Paraguay May 27-31 to
attend CENCOPAN's International Credit Union
Conference and 12th anniversary celebration.
Bill
Raker, President of US Federal Credit Union,
Dana
Hofmann-Geye, MnCUN Executive Vice President &
General Counsel, and Victor Corro, WOCCU's
Manager of International Partnerships, spoke at
the conference, met with Paraguay's credit union
regulator and board of directors, and toured
credit unions during their brief visit.

MnCUN and CENCOPAN were paired through
WOCCU's
International Partnership Program in 2004. The
two credit union organizations have carried out
a
number of activities in the past three years,
most recently conducting a credit union employee
exchange program in April 2006.

"It is my honor and privilege to have the
opportunity for the third consecutive year to
represent Minnesota credit unions at this
International Conference," said Raker, who is
also a member of the MnCUN Board of
Directors. "Regulation is one of the key areas
in
which we are able to assist the Paraguayans, and
CENCOPAN and their regulator are both very
appreciative of the attention and assistance we
have been able to provide."

On May 29 the group met with Paraguay's
credit
union co-op regulator, Instituto Nacional de
Cooperativismo (INCOOP). INCOOP President
Antonio
Ortiz Guanes and the other four individuals on
its board of directors attended the meeting. The
group discussed the importance of the
partnership
and the technology assessment performed by WOCCU
and Minnesota credit unions in October 2004.

Thanks in part to that assessment two years
ago,
the Paraguayan government applied for and is
expected receive a large loan from the Inter-
American Development Bank. Funds will likely be
disbursed to a number of public entities
throughout the country. Any money allotted to
INCOOP will be used to strengthen technology and
the regulation of credit unions.

The group discussed the potential of
coordinating
an exchange between INCOOP and the Minnesota
Department of Commerce or the National Credit
Union Administration (NCUA).

"An exchange of this magnitude would be very
important to the credit unions of Paraguay and
is
a perfect example of the great things that can
be
accomplished through partnerships of this sort,"
Hofmann-Geye said, acknowledging that the idea
is
still very much in a conceptual phase. "To
provide a format for our regulators to exchange
ideas and learn from one another could have
tremendous impact."

The CENCOPAN International Credit Union
Conference took place May 30-31, with 300 in
attendance. All three visitors from the U.S.
made
presentations. Raker talked about strategic
planning and its importance to credit unions.
Corro spoke on WOCCU's International Partnership
Program and highlighted the successes of its 23
various partnerships around the world. Hofmann-
Geye discussed the role of lobbying in the
success of the U.S. credit union Movement. She
emphasized the benefits of a three-pronged
approach to political involvement, including
paid
lobbyists, grassroots involvement and
contributions to political action committees.

"This particular relationship between
Minnesota
and Paraguayan credit unions is one of the more
active partnerships, as is illustrated by the
great deal of activities," Corro said. "The fact
that both sides have already attended and spoken
at each other's annual general meetings is proof
of the commitment and the progress being
made."

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 57,000 credit unions in 103 countries serve 208 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.